Systems and methods for ambient energy powered physiological parameter monitoring

ABSTRACT

A system for treating and/or monitoring a patient includes a patient physiological parameter monitoring patch and a companion device. The patient physiological parameter monitoring patch including an energy harvesting module, an energy storage module, a sensor module and a communication module. The energy harvesting module harvesting energy from one or more ambient sources, the energy being storable in the energy storage module and usable by one or more components of the patient physiological parameter monitoring patch. The sensor module senses one or more physiological parameters of the patient and the communication module can transmit the sensed data. The companion device can receive the sensed physiological parameters and can send the same to a remote device or store the same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/474,566, filed on Mar. 21,2017, entitled “Harvesting various sources of ambient energy forpowering wireless Vital Sign Patch (VSPs) and sensor networks andapplications,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

The collection and/or monitoring of physiological data is an importantaspect of patient healthcare. Patient physiological data can provideinsight into the health and well-being of an individual and provideindication of potential physiological distress. Typically, multipledifferent medical devices and/or machines are used with each devicecapturing data regarding a single or sometimes multiple physiologicalparameters or characteristics. These monitoring systems can bedistressing in their own right to the individual connected to themedical device, often causing the individual to experience some level ofdiscomfort.

Additionally, the medical devices can require support for theirservices, such as connections, such as cords or cables, for datatransmission and/or power and/or other resources. These connections canlimit the mobility and/or use of the medical device as it can beconstrained by its support requirements. Constraints, such as theseand/or others, can also contribute to the discomfort of the individualdue to the decreased range of motion and/or limited movement allowed bythe individual while connected to various medical devices and/ormonitors.

To assist with the mobility issue, some medical devices and/or monitorsinclude power supplies, such as batteries, that allow the device to movewith the user. The various cables connecting the monitoring device toone or more sensors still constrain the available motion allowed theindividual although the self-powered systems are more portable. However,even for wireless systems, the patient's motion can still be constraineddue to the power requirements of the device. For example, conventionaldevices include batteries to supply power to device, however, thebatteries can require recharging and/or replacement at intervals. Thisbattery dependency limits the range and/or mobility of the patientconnected to the device because of the need to carry additionalbatteries and/or travel within a predetermined distance relative to arecharging station. The battery dependency is also expensive and can beunreliable. As such, many patient physiological parameter monitoringsystems and/or devices reduce the mobility and/or range of motion of anindividual being monitored.

There exists a need for systems and/or methods that improve thecollection and/or monitoring of patients.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example ambient energy powered physiologicalparameter monitoring system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an example ambient energy poweredphysiological parameter monitoring system.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example ambient energy powered physiologicalparameter monitoring method.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example method of receiving physiologicalparameter data from an ambient energy powered physiological parametermonitoring system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Physiological parameter data collection and/or monitoring systems and/ormethods are described below. The system includes a sensor containingelement, such as a patch, that can be mounted directly to, or placed on,an individual to monitor and collect data regarding one or morephysiological parameters and/or characteristics of the individual. Thesensor can obtain power, such as electrical energy, from an includedenergy harvesting module that can provide power in response to beingexposed to ambient energy sources, such as radio transmissions, light,heat and/or other energy sources. Obtaining energy from ambient energysources allows the sensor and/or patch to perform various functionswithout the need to be coupled physically to a power source, such as bya wire or cord. The wireless powering of the sensor containing elementand/or patch, can allow the individual increased range of motion andincreased movement distances due to the lack of a directly coupled powersource. In addition, the sensor containing element can include an energystorage device to allow the element to capture electrical energy, suchas from the ambient energy source(s), and store the electrical energy toprovide electrical power for one or more functions and/or features ofthe device.

The ambient energy can be provided by a companion device, in someexamples, that can be located proximally to the sensor containingelement. The companion device generates an electrical field, such asshort-range radio transmissions, or other electromagnetic radiation,that can be the ambient energy source from which the sensor containingelement can derive or obtain power. The companion device can be carriedby the individual to provide the ambient energy source for the sensorcontaining element. Alternatively, the companion device, or the ambientenergy source providing functionality thereof, can be integrated withone or more other devices, such as a monitoring device or cellphone.These other devices can be mobile and can move with the individual, suchas being carried on the person of the individual, or the other devicescan be stationary. The mobile device can be located proximal to theindividual due to it being able to move with the individual. Thestationary devices cannot move with the individual but can provide thefunctionality of the companion device, or ambient energy source, whilethe individual is within range of the stationary device. Multiplestationary devices can be located within a location so that as theindividual moves around the location they remain located within range ofone or more of the stationary devices. Alternatively, the individual canmove outside of the range of the stationary, or other device, and oncethe individual is within range of the same, or another, device thesensor containing element can be energized.

For example, a patient can be in a hospital bed that can include theambient energy source functionality by radiating electromagnetic energyfrom which the sensor containing element can derive, or obtain,electrical energy therefrom. The electromagnetic radiation can begenerated to purposely provide the ambient energy source for the sensorcontaining element and/or can be generated for other purposes/functions,or inadvertently, and the sensor containing element can scavenge, orobtain, electrical energy from such an ambient energy source. In anembodiment, a “smart” hospital bed can purposely generate and transmitelectromagnetic radiation, such as radio frequency radiation, to providean ambient energy source for the sensor containing element.Additionally, or alternatively, the “smart” hospital bed can generateand radiate electromagnetic radiation for the communications, such asemitting a wireless communication signal. The sensor containing elementcan receive this transmitted electromagnetic radiation, generated tofacilitate communication, and can scavenge, or obtain electrical energyfrom such electromagnetic radiation. The ability, structure and/orfunctionality of the sensor containing element to derive, or obtain,power from ambient energy sources can allow the sensor containingelement to receive necessary electrical energy for the one or morefunctions/features of the sensor containing element without physicallycoupling the sensor containing element to a power source, such as by awire or cord. In another embodiment, or in conjunction with scavengingintentional radiation, the sensor element may also scavenge electricalenergy that is emitted unintentionally from electronic devices that isavailable in the sensors environment.

Physiological data collected by the sensor containing element can betransmitted from the sensor, or device/system coupled thereto, to thecompanion device, or base station, that can collect, aggregate, monitor,analyze, and/or transmit the collected physiological data to one or moreremote devices, systems and/or users. The companion device can receive,process and/or analyze the received physiological data and can initiatea response accordingly. For example, the companion device can monitorthe received physiological data for abnormalities, such as physiologicaldata outside of a threshold(s), and/or trends. In response to themonitoring, processing and/or analysis of the physiological data, thecompanion device can initiate one or more responses, such as alteringthe collection of the physiological data, transmitting the receivedphysiological data and/or transmitting an alert or notification to oneor more remote devices, systems and/or users. Remote devices, systemsand/or user can include additional medical devices, such as adefibrillator/monitor, that can be coupled to and/or monitoring thephysiological state of the individual. Additionally, the remotedevices/systems can include one or more data repositories, or databases,storing information related to the individual. Other remote systems caninclude a patient monitoring and/or tracking system that can aggregateinformation regarding a patient from one or more sources and can presentand/or provide such information to one or more devices, systems and/orusers. Alternatively, the sensor containing element can transmitcollected physiological data directly to one or more remote devices,systems and/or users. In addition to the remote device, system and/oruser, the physiological data can also be transmitted to the companiondevice.

In an example, in response to a trend indicating a decrease in a stateof one or more monitored physiological parameters, the companion devicecan request additional information from a remote device, system and/oruser and/or can request additional, and/or different, physiological datafrom one or more sensor containing elements monitoring one or morephysiological parameters and/or characteristics of the individual.Additionally, or alternatively, the companion device can alter thecollection of the physiological data, such as increasing a samplingfrequency of the physiological data from the sensor containing elementwhich can include longer monitoring periods, more frequent monitoringperiods, and/or real-time transmission of sensed physiological data.Based on the physiological data received, the companion device can causetreatment and/or intervention to be administered to the individual by adevice system and/or user. For example, the individual can be monitoredby the companion device and the sensor containing element and alsocoupled to a treatment device, such as defibrillator or other medicaldevice. In response to a physiological state, based on the receivedphysiological data, the companion device can communicate to the coupledtreatment device to cause the coupled treatment device to initiatetreatment to the individual. Additionally, the companion device can beconnected to and/or can include a power source to allow the companiondevice to generate and/or transmit at least a portion of the ambientenergy that is received by the sensor to provide electrical power forthe sensor and its operation. Such treatment and/or intervention can beinitiated by the companion device, and/or a remote device/system thatreceives the physiological data, without the intervention of theindividual or another to provide or initiate the treatment/intervention.

The sensor containing element can sense physiological data of theindividual in a continuous, a scheduled, or an “on-demand” manner.Physiologic data can be sensed and/or collected continuously by thesensor containing element, sensed and/or collected based on a schedule,and/or sensed and/or collected when prompted by a user, or otherdevice/system. The collected data can similarly be transmitted from thesensor containing element, in a continuous, scheduled and/or an“on-demand” manner. The companion device can control the sensorcontaining element to control the sensing, collection and/or transmittalof the physiological data by the sensor containing device.Alternatively, the sensor containing device can control all or a portionof the sensing, collection and/or transmittal of the physiological data.

The system of the sensor containing element and companion deviceprovides a wireless system in which power and data can be communicatedbetween the sensor containing element, the companion device and/or oneor more other devices, systems and/or users. Such a system can be usedto monitor an individual in multiples settings, or environments, such asat a residence or workplace, as may be typical for the individual,and/or at an emergency or other treatment setting. The system canprovide physiological data to guide various monitoring and/or treatmentof the patient in one or more of the environments and/or settings.Additionally, the collection of the physiological data can be modifiedand/or altered based on the individuals setting or environment. Further,the system can continue to provide physiological data as the individualssetting and/or environment changes, such as the individual mightexperience during a medical event. Prior to the event, the individual'sphysiological state can be monitored by the system which can transmit analarm in response to a change in the physiological state of theindividual. The physiological state change can cause the individualssetting/environment to change from a residential setting to a hospitalsetting where the individual may be transported to receive treatment inresponse to the alarm and/or physiological state change. While at thehospital, the system can continue to provide physiological dataregarding the individual. The hospital setting can include additionaland/or different companion devices, or other devices/systems providingat least a portion of similar functionality, that can interface with thesensor containing element on the individual to collect physiologicaldata.

FIG. 1 is an example ambient energy powered physiological parametermonitoring system 100 in-use with a patient or wearer 102. The patientor wearer 102 has a physiological parameter monitoring patch 120 placethereon. The patch 120 includes one or more sensors for monitoring oneor more physiological parameters and generating an output based on theone or more physiological parameters. Electrical energy for powering thevarious functions and/or features of the patch 120 can be providedwirelessly from radio energy, or transmissions, from a companion device110. The companion device can include an antenna, transmitter and/ortransceiver for broadcasting a power signal to the patch 120. The powersignal can have various properties and/or characteristics that can beselected or shaped to assist with the efficient transmission andconversion of the power signal into electrical energy by the patch 120.The companion device 110 can also include an antenna 112 for receivingdata from the patch 120, such as physiological parameter data from theone or more sensors of the patch 120.

The companion device 110 can also be communicatively coupled 141 to anetwork 140 for transmitting collected physiological data thereto. Thenetwork 140 can be further communicatively coupled 142 to one or moreremote devices, systems and/or locations 130, such as a server 132,medical device 134, nursing station 136, laboratory 138 and/or otherremote device, system and/or location. Physiological data from thecompanion device 110 can be routed and/or transmitted to the one or moreremote devices, systems and/or locations via the network 140.Additionally, the communication can be two-way to allow the remotedevice, systems and/or locations to communicate with the companiondevice 110, such as to provide instructions and/or other data to alterthe collection and/or analysis of the physiological data.

The companion device 110 can be communicatively coupled 131 to one ormore remote device, system and/or location 130, such as the server 132,medical device 134, the nursing station 136, the laboratory 138, and/orother remote devices, systems and/or locations. The companion device 110can transmit physiological data and/or other communications, such asinstructions, to the one or more remote devices, systems and/orlocations 130. The instructions can cause one or more of the remotedevices, systems and/or locations to output a response, such as atreatment by the medical device 134 that is administered to the patient102. The communications from the companion device 110 to the one or moreremote devices, system and/or locations 130 can also include an alert ornotification issued by the companion device 110 based on the collectedphysiological data and/or the review/analysis of the collectedphysiological data.

In another embodiment, the power signal can be broadcasted and/ortransmitted by another device/system. The other device/system can beconnected to and/or can have a power source to generate and/or transmitthe power signal. In an example, the patient 102 can be in a bed thatincludes a power transmitter that transmits the power signal to the oneor more patches 120 on the patient 102 to provide the electrical energynecessary for their features and/or functions. The power signaltransmission ability can be integrated in other alternative devicesand/or systems which can provide the power signal and/or can provideadditional power signals to assist with providing power to the patches120.

The patch 120 can also include a unique identifier, such as an encodedidentity and/or a specific broadcast frequency, or range, associatedwith a particular patch 120. The physiological data transmitted by thepatch 120 to the companion device 110 can include the unique identifierassociated with the patch 120 to allow the companion device 110 toidentify the transmitter of the physiological data. This can allow asingle companion device 110 to communicate with, or monitor, one or morepatches 120 on one or more patients 102. Additionally, the uniqueidentifier for the patch 120 can be further stored at a remotedevice/system to allow one or more companion devices 110 to determinethe identity of the patch 120 and/or associate received physiologicaldata with a particular patient 102. This organization can allow apatient 102 to be moved through a system and/or facility while allowingfor the continued collection of physiological parameter data viamultiple companion devices 110 the patient 102 is proximal to as thepatient 102 is transported or moved.

In an embodiment, the collection of physiological data by the patch 120can be initiated by the reception of ambient energy, such as the powersignal, from the companion device 110. The companion device 110 cancontinue to provide ambient energy until the physiological data from thepatch 120 is received by the companion device 110. In this manner, thebroadcast of ambient energy by the companion device 110 causes thecollection of the physiological data. Cycling the broadcast of ambientenergy by the companion device 110 can be used to regularly collectphysiological data from the patient 102 via the patch 120. In anembodiment in which multiple patches 120 are placed on a patient 102 tomonitor one or more physiological parameters, the patches 120 associatedwith a particular physiological parameter can be associated with aparticular characteristic of the broadcast power signal. For example,first patches 120 associated with monitoring patient 102 temperature canbe attuned to receive, or harvest, energy from radio transmissions of aparticular first frequency, or first range of frequencies. Secondpatches 120 associated with monitoring patient 102 SpO2 can be attunedto receive or harvest, energy from radio transmissions of a particularsecond frequency, or second range of frequencies. This can allow thecompanion device 110 to collect data for a particular physiologicalparameter individually. The companion device 110 can broadcast a powersignal at the first frequency, or first range of frequencies, to providepower to the first patches to collect first physiological data and/ortransmit first physiological data and then the companion device 110 canbroadcast a power signal at the second frequency, or second range offrequencies, to provide power to the second patches to collect and/orcause the transmission of second physiological data.

In another embodiment, the companion device 110 can continuouslybroadcast ambient energy to allow the patch 120 to collect physiologicaldata and/or the patch 120 can harvest ambient energy from theenvironment about the patch 120 to allow for the collection ofphysiological parameter data by the patch 120. To receive thephysiological data, the companion device 110 can transmit a signal, suchas a communication signal or a predetermined power signal, to cause thepatch 120 to transmit the physiological data and/or collectedphysiological data.

The companion device 110 of FIG. 1 is shown remote from, and/or proximalto, the patient 102. In other embodiments, the companion device 110 canbe worn and/or placed on the body of the patient 102. For example, aharness can be worn by the patient 102 to constrain the companion device110 to their body. In another example, the companion device 110 can beplaced in the pocket of clothes of the patient 102. Other locationsproximal to and/or on the patient 102 can also be used to constrain thecompanion device 110 to the patient 102 and allow for the radiation ofambient energy by the companion device 110 to the patch 120 and thecollection of physiological data by the companion device 110 from thepatch 120.

The companion device 110 can include predetermined physiologicalparameter trends and/or limits to cause the companion device 110 toperform one or more actions in response. The response can includetransmitting an alert or notification to a remote device, system and/oruser. Additionally, the companion device 110 can transmit at least aportion of the collected physiological data to a remoted device, systemand/or user. The physiological data transmitted can include real-timephysiological data from the patch 120 on the patient 102 and/orhistorical data and/or data trends collected and/or processed fromprevious collections of physiological data from the patch 120 by thecompanion device 110. For example, the companion device 110 candetermine that a physiological parameter being monitored with the patch120 has exceeded a threshold value and/or trend and can cause an alertto be transmitted. The alert can be directed to a remote user to allowthe user to review the physiological data, such as the real-timephysiological data and the historical data and/or data trends, to assistwith in an assessment of the patient 102. The remote device, systemand/or user can review the received physiological data and can performvarious functions and/or responses as a result of the review, such asdispatching assistance to the patient 102 and/or a patient 102treatment.

FIG. 2 is an example block diagram of a system 200 for ambient energypowered physiological parameter monitoring. The system 200 includes aphysiological parameter monitoring patch 210 that senses and/or monitorsa patient's physiological parameter(s) and transmits the data to acompanion device 250. The companion device 250 can process the datareceived from the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/orcan transmit the data received from the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 to another device, system and/or user.

The physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 can be placed, oradhered, to a patient to monitor one or more physiological parameters ofthe patient. The patch 210 can include an energy harvesting module 211,an optional processing module 220, a communication module 223 and asensor module 224. The sensor module 224 generates data based on thephysiological parameter being monitored and that sensor data can beprocessed by the processing module 220 and/or transmitted from the patch210 to an external device and/or system, such as the companion device250, by the communication module 223. To provide power to the variousfunctions and features of the patch 210, an ambient energy capturemodule 212 of the energy harvesting module can “harvest,” or obtainenergy, from one or more sources external to the patch 210. The“harvest” of energy is performed without the direct, physical connectionof the patch to a power source. In addition to the ambient energycapture module 212, the energy harvesting module 211 can optionallyinclude an energy storage module 217 to store and provide energy for thevarious functions and features of the patch 210.

The energy harvesting module 211 includes the ambient energy capturemodule 212 to gather, or harvest, energy to power the features and/orfunctions of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210.Additionally, the energy harvesting module 211 can include the energystorage module 217 that can store energy collected by the ambient energycapture module 212 and/or can otherwise include stored energy. Toprovide the power necessary for the various functions and/or features ofthe physiological parameter monitoring patch 210, such as the sensing ofthe physiological parameter by the sensor module 224 and/or thetransmission of the sensed physiological data by the communicationmodule 223, the energy harvesting module 211 can be activated and/orenergized.

The ambient energy capture module 212 can include one or more elements,devices, and/or system for gathering, or obtaining/capturing, ambientenergy from the surroundings of the physiological parameter monitoringpatch 210. Examples of ambient energy that the ambient energy capturemodule can collect are radio energy 213, motion energy 214, light energy215 and/or thermal energy 216. Exposure of the ambient energy capturemodule 212 to radio waves, motion, light and/or thermal variations, cancause the one or more elements, devices, and/or systems of the ambientenergy module 212 to capture, or salvage, energy from such exposure.

In an example, the radio energy 213 capture of the ambient energycapture module 212 can include one or more elements, device and/orsystems for extracting, or capturing, energy from exposure to variousradio transmissions. The ambient energy module 212 can include one ormore antennas to receive the various radio transmissions and cause aninduced current due to the exposure. The induced current caused by theexposure to the radio transmissions can be used to energize one or morefeatures and/or functions of the physiological parameter monitoringpatch 210 and/or stored by the energy storage module 217.

The radio transmissions to which the ambient energy capture module 212is exposed can include one or more radio waves having variousproperties, such as a frequency, wavelength, amplitude, and/or otherproperties/characteristics. The periodic/cyclic nature of radio wavescauses a current to be induced in one or more elements, devices, and/orsystems, such as an antenna, of the ambient energy capture module 212.The element, device and/or system can be tuned and/or constructed toreceive radio transmissions having a specific property/characteristicvalue/magnitude, or a range thereof.

The radio transmissions to which the ambient energy capture module 212is exposed can be common radio transmissions, such as media broadcastsignals, cellular phone transmissions, wireless internet signals and/orother sources of radio energy radiation. Additionally, or alternatively,the ambient energy capture module 212 can receive radio transmissionsthat are broadcasted or transmitted to provide power/energy to thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/or other wireless powertransmission purposed. In an example embodiment, the companion device250, and/or other device/system can broadcast radio transmissions havingproperties/characteristics aligned with those that the ambient energycapture module 212 is attuned to receive. In this manner, the otherdevice/system can effectively transmit and/or provide energy from thedevice/system to the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210wirelessly.

The ambient energy capture module 212 can have multiple elements,devices and/or systems to capture energy from radio transmissions. Forexample, the ambient energy capture module 212 can include a firstantenna to capture energy from first radio transmissions having a firstfrequency or range and a second antenna to capture energy from secondradio transmissions having a second frequency or range. The energycaptured from the first and second radio transmissions can be different,such as a first power captured from the first radio transmissions and asecond, increased, power captured from the second radio transmissions.These various power captures can be used to provide energy or power toone or more functions and/or features of the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210. For example, the first power can be supplied tothe sensor module 224 and/or memory 222 of the processing module 220 tocollect and store physiological parameter data. The second power can besupplied to the communication module 223 to then transmit the storedphysiological parameter data. In an example embodiment, the reception ofsecond radio transmissions, and subsequent capture of the second power,can initiate the transmission of the physiological data. In this manner,the various functions and/or features of the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 can be associated with one or more power/energylevel/amount, with one or more features and/or functionsactivated/initiating and/or operating based on the level, or amount, ofpower/energy currently captured by the energy harvesting module 212and/or capable of being supplied and/or supplemented by the energystorage module 217. The various power management functions of the patch210 can be based on the electrical circuit layout and/or arrangement ofthe various features/functions and/or by a processor 221 of theprocessing module 220.

The ambient energy module 212 can also capture energy caused by motion214 of the patch, such as by movement of a person upon which the patchis placed. The ambient energy module 212 can include one or moreelements, devices, and/or systems for converting the motion, or kineticenergy, of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 intopower/energy that can be supplied to the various features and/orfunctions of the patch 210 and/or stored by the energy storage module217.

A mechanical element, device and/or system of the ambient energy module212 can convert the mechanical motion of the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 into electrical energy. The mechanical element,device and/or system can harvest the motion of the patch 210 and can becoupled to a generator, or electrical generating element, for convertingthe mechanical motion into electrical energy. For example, the ambientenergy module 212 can include a magnet that is allowed to move within acoil of wire, as the magnet moves within the coil due to motion of thepatch 210, a current is induced in the coil. The current can be suppliedto various functions and/or features of the patch 210 and/or the energystorage module 217. In another example, the patch 210 can include arotating weight/pendulum. Rotational energy, or motion, of theweight/pendulum, caused by motion of the patch 210, can be convertedinto electrical energy, such as by a generator.

Another element, device and/or system for converting motion intoelectrical energy can include the use of piezoelectric materials in thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210. Piezoelectric materialsare a class, or group, of materials that generate an electrical chargewhen a stress is applied. For example, the bending of a piezoelectricmaterial, such as by motion of the patch 210, can cause thepiezoelectric material to generate an electrical charge that can becollected and/or used to power one or more functions/features of thepatch 210 and/or the energy storage module 217. The piezoelectricmaterial can be integrated, or included, with the patch 210 and/or canbe an element of the patch 210.

Other suitable elements, devices and/or systems for convertingmechanical motion of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210can be included in and/or coupled to the ambient energy capture module212 to provide power/energy for one or more functions/features, and/orthe energy storage module 217, of the patch 210. This can allow theambient energy capture module 212 to capture, or obtain, electricalenergy from the motion 214 of the patch 210.

Another source of ambient energy can include light 215 energy. Light 215energy can include energy from one or both natural, such as the sun, andartificial light sources, such as overhead lighting. The light 215 canbe in a visible portion of the spectrum, such as chromatic light, and/orcan be in a non-visible portion of the spectrum, such as infrared light.The ambient energy capture module 212 can include one or more elements,devices and/or systems for receiving light 215 and generatingenergy/power therefrom. For example, the ambient energy capture module212 can include a photovoltaic element that uses the photovoltaic effectto generate an electrical charge in response to being struck with, orreceiving, light 215. The electrical energy derived from the light 215can provide power for one or more functions/features of thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/or the energy storagemodule 217. Other light 215 stimulated, energy generating elements,devices and/or systems can be included in the patch 210 to generateelectrical power in response to the exposure to light 215.

A further source of ambient energy can include thermal 216 energy.Thermal 216 energy can include capturing, or obtaining, energy from thethermal state(s)/environment(s) about the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210. For example, the thermal 216 energy of a patientto which the patch 210 is affixed, can be used to generate power/energyfor the various functions and/or features of the patch 210.Additionally, the thermal 216 energy of temperature fluctuations in theenvironment about the patch 210, such as ambient room temperature, canbe used to generate power/energy.

Various elements, devices and/or systems can be used to convert thermal216 energy received by the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210,and/or the ambient energy capture module 212, to electrical energy thatcan be supplied to the various features/functions of the patch 210and/or the energy storage module 217. For example, one or morethermoelectric elements, or generators, can be included in the ambientenergy captured module 212 and/or the patch 210. The thermoelectricelements generate electrical energy using the Seebeck effect due to theexposure of the thermoelectric elements to heat flux, or temperaturedifferences. The thermoelectric elements can be arranged so that oneside is exposed to the heat energy radiating from the patient or anotherheat source and the other side of the thermoelectric element is arrangedto be exposed to a cooler environment, such as the ambient air. Thetemperature variation across the thermoelectric element generateselectrical energy that can be supplied to various functions/features ofthe physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/or the energystorage module 217.

The ambient energy capture module 212 and/or the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 can include one or more elements, devices and/orsystems to capture, or obtain, energy from one or more sources, such asradio 213, motion 214, light 215 and/or thermal 216 sources. The ambientenergy capture module 212 receives energy from the one or more sourcesto generate, or cause to be generated, electrical energy that can besupplied to the various functions and/or features of the patch 210and/or the energy storage module 217.

The energy storage module 217 can include one or more energy storageelements, devices and/or systems, such as a battery 218 and/or acapacitor 219. The energy storage module 217 can store electricalenergy, such as from the ambient energy capture module 212, an energysource external the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/oran energy storage device that is included with and/or coupled to thepatch 210.

The battery 218 can be included in the energy storage module 217 and canbe a permanent or replaceable battery. The battery 218 can store andsupply electrical energy to power the various functions/features of thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210. Additionally, the batterycan be rechargeable, allowing the battery to store electrical energyfrom the ambient energy capture module 212, or other sources. In anexample, the battery 218 can be included in the patch prior to use andcontain at least a portion of an electrical charge to be able to provideelectrical energy to the various features and/or functions of the patch210. In the example, the battery 218 can also be chargeable/rechargeableto allow the ambient energy capture module 212 to transmit electricalenergy to the battery 218 for storage. The battery 218 can also beincluded in the patch 210 and not include an electrical charge prior touse and the battery 218 can act as storage of electrical energy from theambient energy capture module 212.

The battery 218 can provide electrical energy for and/or provideadditional electrical energy for the various functions and features ofthe physiological parameter monitoring patch 210. For example, due tothe lack of available ambient energy, the battery 218 can provide thenecessary electrical energy for one or more functions/features of thepatch 218. In another example, the electrical energy supplied by ambientenergy capture module 212 may be insufficient for one or morefunctions/features of the patch 210 and the battery 218 can supply theadditional electrical energy. For example, the ambient energy capturemodule 212 can be providing electrical energy necessary for thephysiological parameter sensing, or data collection, such as by thesensor module 224, and additional, unneeded electrical energy can bestored in the battery 218. Certain functions/features of the patch 210,such as the transmission of the collected physiological parameter data,such as by the communication module 223, can require electrical energybeyond the immediate generational capabilities of the ambient energycapture module 212, the necessary electrical energy can then be suppliedby the battery 218, which discharges the electrical energy storedpreviously from the electrical energy generated by the ambient energycapture module 212. The battery 218 can be pre-charged, charged, and/orrecharged to supply electrical energy to one or more functions/featuresof the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210.

Additionally, the ability of the battery 218 to act as a storage forelectrical energy can also be used to buffer the energy generated, orobtained, by the ambient energy capture module 212. For example, theambient energy capture module 212 can output electrical energy with atime varying characteristic, such as a current. The time varying natureof the output electrical energy, such as voltage spikes, can bepotentially damaging to components/systems of the patch 210. The battery218 can store and/or supplement the electrical energy supplied to thevarious functions/features of the patch 210 to prevent damage to thevarious components/systems of the patch 210 and to enable thecomponents/systems to function during dips, or lulls, in the electricalenergy supplied by the ambient energy capture module 212.

The energy storage module 217 can also include a capacitor 219, and/orother energy storing circuitry, elements, devices and/or systems, tosupplement and/or condition the electrical energy supplied, or obtained,by the ambient energy capture module 212. Similar to the battery 218,the capacitor 219 can store electrical energy from the ambient energycapture module 212 and can discharge the stored electrical energy asneeded and/or required for one or more functions/features of thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210.

The physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 can also include aprocessing module 220 that can include a processor 221 and/or memory222. The processing module 220 can control one or more functions and/orfeatures of the patch 210 and/or can prepare and/or store collectedphysiological parameter data for transmission. For example, theprocessing module 220 can instruct the collection of physiologicalparameter data according to a schedule and can then store the collecteddata and/or instruct, or cause, the transmission of the collected data.In this example, the scheduled collection of physiological data canallow the ambient energy capture module 212 to collect and storeelectrical energy in the energy storage module 217 for use during thephysiological data collection.

In another embodiment, the collection of the physiological data can becaused be performed in an “on-demand” basis. That is, a user, anexternal device and/or an external system, can signal the acquisitionand/or transmission of physiological data by the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210. For example, a companion device 250 can broadcast,or transmit, a signal, such as a power signal, to the patch 210 to causethe collection and/or transmission of the physiological data. A userand/or an external device/system can cause the companion device 250 totransmit the signal to cause the collection of the physiological data asneeded and/or as requested in the “on-demand” manner.

The processor 221 of the processing module 220, can process thecollected physiological data, if sufficient power, or electrical energy,is present in the physiological parameter patch 210 and/or capturable,or obtainable, by the ambient energy capture module 212. For example,the processor 221 can review the collected physiological data todetermine if there are indications of a physiological trend, or otherindications, of a physiological condition or state. The processor 221can monitor the physiological data for changes and/or abnormal valuesand can cause an alert to be transmitted from, or otherwise provided by,the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 to alert to thecondition and/or abnormalities.

The memory 222 can store the collected physiological data and/oroperating instructions for the processor 221. The collectedphysiological data can be stored in the memory 222 and can betransmitted, such as by the communication module 223, at intervalsand/or as requested. The processor 221 can access the memory 222 foroperating instructions and/or to store physiological parameter data.

The communication module 223 can wirelessly transmit data, such asphysiological parameter data, from the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 to an external device and/or system, such as thecompanion device 250. The communication module 223 includes atransmitter and/or a transceiver and can use one or more communicationprotocols, such as Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, and/or other wirelesscommunication protocols or means. Communication between thecommunication module 223 and the external device/system can be securedand/or encoded. To assist with the transmission of the data from thecommunication module 223, the communication module 223 can include, orbe coupled to, an antenna through which the data can be transmitted.

In addition to transmission capabilities, the communication module 223can optionally include reception capabilities. Data and/or othercommunications can be directed to and/or received by the physiologicalparameter monitoring patch 210 via the communication module 223. Thereceived data can be directed by the communication module 223 to one ormore components of the patch 210, such as the processor 221. Thereceived data can include various information, such as processorinstructions regarding the schedule of physiological parameter datacollection. Alternative and/or additional information and/or data can betransmitted to the communication module 223 for use by or in one or morefunctions/features of the patch 210.

The sensor module 224 of the physiological parameter monitoring patch210 can include one or more sensors 225 to sense and/or collect dataregarding a physiological parameter. The sensors can be positionedand/or arranged on the patch 210 to assist with the collection of thephysiological data. Example physiological parameters that can bemonitored by one or more sensors 225 of the sensor module 224 caninclude oxygen saturation (SpO₂), pH, temperature, blood pressure(invasive and/or non-invasive), electrocardiogram (ECG), impedanceand/or other physiological parameters. Sensors 225 can also includesensors to monitor the position and/or orientation of the wearer of thepatch. The sensor 225 generates an output, such as data, indicative ofthe monitored physiological parameter. This output, or data, can becollected and/or transmitted by the communication module 223 to thecompanion device 250 for monitoring the physiological state of thewearer of the patch. The sensors 225 can be designed and/or selected forlow power operation so as to reduce the electrical energy requirement ofthe sensor 225. The reduced power requirement can reduce the amount ofelectrical energy the ambient energy capture module 212 has to supply,which can also reduce the size and/or complexity of the module 212.

In an example, the sensor 225 can include a communication capability toallow the sensor to transmit the physiological data directly, such as byshort-range broadcasting the data to a nearby device and/or system, suchas the companion device 250. Transmitting the physiological parameterdata directly from the sensor 225 and/or sensor module 224 can bypassthe communication module 223 which can reduce the electrical energyrequirement of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210.

The companion device 250 can generate and/or radiate/transmit energythat can be captured, or obtained, by the ambient energy capture module212 of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 and/or canreceive the physiological data from the patch 210. The companion devicecan include a communication module 251, a processing module 252, alocation module 255, a power module 257, and/or an input/output module258. The companion device 250 can process the received physiologicaldata and can transmit the data and/or other information derivedtherefrom, such as a report, to an external device and/or system. Forexample, the companion device 250 can be a device placed near or on awearer of the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210, to provide apower supply for the patch 210 and to receive and/or process thecollected physiological data. Additionally, the companion device 210,and/or its features/functions, can be integrated with one or moredevices and/or systems that may be positioned near a wearer to interactwith the patch 210. In an example embodiment, the functions and/orfeatures of the companion device 250 can be integrated into existingdevices, such as cellular phone and/or other medical devices.

The communication module 251 of the companion device 250 can communicatewith the physiological parameter monitoring patch 210 to receivephysiological data and/or transmit data/instructions thereto. Multiplephysiological parameter monitoring patches 210 can be communicating withthe communication module 251 to transmit data regarding one or morephysiological parameters of the wearer of the patches 210. This canallow a single companion device 250 to be assigned to a wearer tomonitor one or more of their physiological parameters.

The communication module 251 can communicate with other external devicesand/or systems to transmit the physiological data, processed and/or raw,and other information derived and/or based on the physiological data.Communication by the communication module 251 with an externaldevice/system, other than the patch 210, can be via a wired and/or awireless connection using one or more communication protocols. Forexample, the companion device 250 can communicate with a patientmonitoring and/or tracking system to update patient information toinclude the collected physiological data. The companion device 250 caninclude various rules and/or instructions regarding the routing of thephysiological information, or data based thereon, such as transmittingan alert to a device, system and/or user based on the physiologicaldata. For example, the communication module 251 can establish a firstcommunication pathway to transmit first collected physiologicalparameter data to a first medical device and a second communicationpathway to transmit second collected physiological parameter data to asecond medical device. In this manner, the communication module 251 cantransmit the relevant physiological parameter data to a particularmedical device(s), systems and/or users. For example, relevantphysiological parameter data can be transmitted from the companiondevice 250 to a patient monitor/defibrillator and the same, ordifferent, relevant physiological parameter data can be transmitted to anursing station.

Additionally, the communication module 251 can communicate with othermedical devices and/or system that are monitoring various physiologicalparameters/characteristics of the wearer of the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210. The companion device 250 can use this additionalreceived physiological data to assist with making determinations basedon the sensed physiological data received from the patch 210 and/orassist with processing the received physiological data. For example, ascale can provide weight information regarding the wearer of the patchto the companion device 250. This weight data can be used in processingand/or monitoring the physiological data received from the patch 210 andin the determination of abnormalities and/or wearer distress indicatedby the received physiological data.

The processing module 252 can include a processor 253 and/or memory 254.The processor 253 can control various functions and/or features of thecompanion device 250 and/or can process the received physiologicalparameter data. The memory 254 can store information, such as thereceived physiological parameter data, and can store instructions forthe processer 253 to perform or execute. For example, the processor 253can process the received physiological parameter data from thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210. The physiologicalparameter data can be processed to determine trends, abnormal valuesand/or other information regarding the physiological parameter(s)monitored. Based on the processing of the physiological data, theprocessor 253 can instruct the transmittal of the physiological data, orportion thereof, to an external device, system and/or user, and/or thetransmittal of other information or notifications based on the processedphysiological parameter data. Notifications can include alerts oralarms, such as contacting emergency services, regarding physiologicalparameter data indicating a patient distress condition. The alert/alarm,and or other physiological data, can be transmitted to multiplelocations to disseminate the information to the relevant parties,devices and/or systems in a timely manner. In addition, thealerts/alarms and/or physiological data can be routed, such as based onrules and/or determinations made by the processor, externaldevice/system, to various location in preparation for potentialtreatment and/or movement of the wearer of the physiological parametermonitoring patch 210 in response to the received physiological parameterdata.

The optional location module 255 can include elements, devices and/orsystems for determining the location of the companion device 250. Forexample, the location module 255 can include a GPS sensor/receiver 256to receive/determine GPS coordinate information regarding the locationof the companion device 250. In an example embodiment the wearer of thephysiological parameter monitoring patch 210 can be in distress and thedistress can be determined by the companion device 250 based on thereceived physiological data from the patch 210. In response to thedetermined distress, the companion device 250 can transmit an alert ornotification for assistance for the wearer, the alert or notificationcan include location information from the location module 255. In thismanner, the wearer is not relied upon to supply the locationinformation, which wearers may be unable to do depending on theircondition. Additional, or alternative, location determination elements,devices and/or systems can be included in the location module 255 toassist with determining location of the companion device 250.

A power module 257 of the companion device 250 can provide and/or assistwith providing power, such as electrical energy, to the companion device250. For example, the power module can include a plug to connect thecompanion device 250 to an external power source, such as a wall socket.Additionally, the power module 257 can include one or more energystorage devices that can store electrical energy to allow the companiondevice 250 to function for a period of time absent a connection to anexternal power source. For example, the power module 257 can includebatteries, such as rechargeable batteries, that can provide electricalenergy to the various functions and/or features of the companion device250.

In addition, and/or alternatively, the power module 257 can provide theambient energy from which the physiological parameter monitoring patch210 can extract, or obtain, energy therefrom. For example, the powermodule 257 can broadcast radio transmissions that can be received by thepatch 210 to generate electrical energy from the radio 213 energy. Thetransmitted radio energy 213 by the power module 257 can have specificcharacteristics/properties, or ranges thereof, such as frequency,wavelength, amplitude, etc. The characteristics/properties of the powermodule transmitted radio transmissions can be based on the receptionproperties of the patch 210, such as to have an increased efficiency ofthe conversion of the radio transmission energy to electrical energy bythe patch 210.

In an example embodiment, the power transmission via radio waves by thepower module 257 can be in conjunction with one or more communicationprotocol transmissions so that the companion device 250 is transmittingboth power and data across a specific radio spectrum. Alternatively, toassist with reducing potential interference, the spectrums used forpower transmission and communication can be separate from each other.

The input/output module 258 can include visual 259 and/or audio 262based input/output. The input/output module 258 can relay information tothe wearer of the companion device 250 and/or patch 210 and/or anotheruser. The information can include the physiological data sensed by thepatch 210, or data/information derived therefrom, information regardingthe operation/functions of the patch 210 and/or companion device 250and/or other information. In addition to relaying information, theinput/output module 258 can also receive input, such as from a user orother. This input can alter the operation of the companion device 250and/or cause the companion device 250 to perform one or morefunctions/features in response to the received input.

The visual 259 of the input/output module 258 can include a display 260and/or touchscreen/keyboard 261. The display 260 can be coupled to oneor more functions/features of the companion device 250, such as theprocessing module 252, to display information. The display can be adigital or analog display to relay various information to a user orother. The touchscreen/keyboard 261 can provide a visual input for auser or other to provide input to the companion device 250. The keyboardcan be a physical device with various actuatable elements, such as keys,that can be manipulated by the user or other to provide the input. Thetouchscreen can be both an input device and an output device, whereasthe display 260 is typically only an output device. The touchscreen 261can display information, such as prompts, that a user or other caninteract with to provide input to the companion device 250. In anembodiment, the touchscreen 261 can include keyboard-like functionalityto allow a user or other to provide input to the companion device 250.

The audio 262 of the input/output module 258 can include a microphone263 and/or a speaker 264. The microphone 263 can allow a user or otherto provide an audio input to the companion device 250. The audio inputcan include verbal, or voice, commands that can be processed by theinput/output module 258 to cause the companion device 250 to perform atask. For example, a user can use the audio input provided by themicrophone 263 to query the companion device for information, such asphysiological data collected, or received, from the physiologicalparameter monitoring patch 210. This can allow the user to inputinformation, such as a request, in a hands-free manner.

The speaker 264 can provide an audible output for the companion device250 to relay information to a user and/or other. The speaker can becoupled to the processing module 252 and/or other features/functions ofthe companion device 250 to relay information therefrom. Informationrelayed by the speaker 264 can include physiological data and/orinformation derived from or based thereon, alarms/alerts and/or otheraudio outputs.

FIG. 3 is an example method 300 of ambient energy powered physiologicalparameter monitoring. At 302 ambient energy, from a surroundingenvironment, is received and captured at 304. The ambient energy can becreated, transmitted and/or broadcasted for the specific purposed ofbeing received 302, and/or can be energy from a source that is otherwiseradiating and/or broadcasting energy intentionally or unintentionally.For example, a device can transmit ambient energy to be received 302 andcaptured 304 and/or the ambient energy can be from source that isradiating the ambient energy as part of, or as a byproduct, of one ormore functions/features of the source, or its operation, such aswireless communication signals. The capture 304 of the ambient energycan include the use of the captured ambient energy to create electricalenergy. One or more elements, devices and/or systems can capture theambient energy and generate electrical energy as a result of the ambientenergy capture 304.

At 306, the electrical energy, or power, is provided to a sensor. Thesensor can be an element, device and/or system for sensing dataregarding one or more physiological parameters. The sensor can beincluded on a patch, or other element, that can be placed on, or affixedto, a person to monitor the physiological parameter and generate datatherefrom. At 308, the sensor senses the physiological parameter dataand can generate a signal that can be output, the signal beingrepresentative and/or based on the sensed physiological parameter data.

At 310 electrical power, such as from the ambient energy capture 304,can be provided to a communication module. The communication module canwirelessly transmit 312 the physiological parameter data to a remotedevice, system and/or user. Various communication protocols, systemsand/or devices can be used to transmit the physiological parameter data.

FIG. 4 is an example method 400 of receiving physiological parameterdata from an ambient energy powered physiological parameter monitoringsystem. At 402, ambient energy can be broadcasted and/or transmittedwirelessly to allow another remote device and/or system, such as aphysiological parameter monitoring patch, to generate, or capture,electrical energy from the ambient energy. A device and/or system, suchas a companion device, can interact with the remote device/system toprovide a source of electrical energy and/or receive data transmissionfrom the remote device/system. The ambient energy can be received by theremote device/system to provide the electrical energy for the remotedevice/system to sense data regarding one or more physiologicalparameters. The sensed data can then be transmitted by the remotedevice/system and received at 404 as physiological parameter data. Thetransmission of the physiological parameter data can be in response tothe broadcast of ambient energy 402 and/or otherwise caused/triggered,such as by a schedule or other signal.

Multiple physiological parameter data can be received 404 from one ormore remote devices/systems, such as the physiological parametermonitoring patch. The received physiological data 404 can be aggregatedand/or processed 406. Various determinations and/or analyses can be madebased on the received physiological parameter data 404 and/or theaggregated/processed physiological data 406. For example, comparisons ofthe physiological parameter data to trends and/or threshold can be usedto determine if an alert should be transmitted 410 in response to thereceived physiological data 406 and/or the aggregated/processedphysiological data 408. The alert can be transmitted 410 to one or moreremote devices, systems and/or users to inform them of physiologicaldata.

At 412, the physiological data, such as 406 and/or theaggregated/processed data 408, can be transmitted to a remote device,system and/or user. The physiological data transmitted can be raw and/orprocessed sensor data and/or determination, evaluations and/or analysesmade therefrom. The transmission 412 can include transmitting thereceived physiological data to another device and/or system, such as ahub, that can process received physiological and/or other patient datato evaluate a physiological state of the patient being monitored and/orperform one or more functions and/or actions in response to thereceived, transmitted physiological data.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be used forrealizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A system to one or both of treat or monitor a patient, comprising: apatient physiological parameter monitoring patch having: an energyharvesting module configured to harvest energy from one or more ambientenergy sources, an energy storage module configured to store theharvested energy, a sensor module configured to sense one or morepatient physiological parameters of the patient, and a communicationmodule configured to transmit the sensed one or more patientphysiological parameters, one or more components of the patientphysiological parameter monitoring patch powered by the harvested energystored in the energy storage module; and a companion device electricallycoupled to the patient physiological parameter module and furtherconfigured to receive the transmitted sensed one or more patientphysiological parameters and one or both of further transmit to a remotedevice or store the sensed one or more patient physiological parameters.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more ambient energy sourcesinclude one or more of radio transmissions, light, heat, and companiondevice energy source.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the patientphysiological parameter monitoring patch further includes a patch energysource.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the patch energy sourceincludes a battery that is either rechargeable or single-use.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the companion device is further configured totransmit the sensed one or more patient physiological parameters to aremote server over a wireless network.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe companion device or the patient physiological parameter monitoringpatch is further configured to transmit the sensed one or more patientphysiological parameters to a nearby device electrically connected tothe patient physiological parameter monitoring patch by a short-rangeelectrical field.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the companion deviceis further configured to store a set of instructions for the patientphysiological parameter monitoring patch to one or both of harvestenergy from the one or more ambient energy sources and to sense the oneor more of the patient physiological parameters.
 8. The system of claim1, wherein the patient physiological parameter monitoring patch iswearable by the patient.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the systemincludes multiple patient physiological parameter monitoring patchesthat are each electrically coupled to the companion device.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the companion device further includes alocation module that is configured to determine a location of one orboth of the companion device or the patient physiological parametermonitoring patch and to transmit the location to a remote device overeither a short-range electrical field or a wireless network.
 11. Apatient physiological parameter monitoring patch, comprising: an energyharvesting module configured to harvest energy from one or more ambientenergy sources; an energy storage module configured to store theharvested energy; a sensor module configured to sense one or morepatient physiological parameters of the patient; a communication moduleconfigured to transmit the sensed one or more patient physiologicalparameters, one or more components of the patient physiologicalparameter monitoring patch powered by the harvested energy stored in theenergy storage module.